Sturdy for Common Things

Storytime Anytime: The Moon

Storytime Anytime is a concentrated storytime experience that parents and caregivers can recreate with the youngster in your life. Each storytime focuses on a book about a specific interest, a song, rhyme, or fingerplay that complements the story, and then a few, simple extension activities. Storytime doesn’t just happen in the library, storytime can be anytime! 

The moon has been a recent topic of conversation with my 22-month old. Several weeks ago we were walking home and the moon was an enormous, illuminated balloon hovering in the sky. I pointed to it and said, look at the moon! Ever since that night, Mira has been pointing to the moon every chance she’s able to spot it. “Mama, Moon! Mama, Moon!” Around that same time, we checked out this lovely new picture book The Moon Is Going to Addy’s House by Ida Pearle.

READ: The Moon Is Going to Addy’s House (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)

This book. This book! Such a pretty book. The story makes for a great read-a-loud for children as young as 2-years old, and the illustrations are vibrant, gorgeous full-spread frames. It’s time for Addy to go home from her playdate in the city. As her family leaves the city, Addy and her sister spot the moon which turns into a game of moon sighting the whole way home. Where is the moon going? It’s going to Addy’s house! When they arrive home the moon is overhead. The girls bathe and Addy dances under the moon before bedtime, all the while the moon is a luminous showstopper.

As I read this book, I point out where the moon in each picture and the girls love when I replace Addy’s name with one of their names. If this book happens to be checked out from the library (which is likely, as it is spectacular), use any book you find or have on hand that features the moon. I’ve listed favorite moon picture book suggestions below. The whole intention behind Storytime Anytime is for it to be a no-stress opportunity to share a reading experience with the child in your life. Who needs additional anxiety over finding a book? Not I! No siree! There are lots of great books to go around.

SING: “I See The Moon and The Moon Sees Me” from What’ll I Do with the Baby-o?: Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Stories by Jane Cobb (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)

“I See The Moon and the Moon Sees Me” is a lullaby I learned from Jbrary that is now a regular bedtime lullaby in my house. You can hear Dana and Lindsey sing it at the 2:10 minute mark. There are two other moon songs/rhymes in this video that are easy and fun to learn too!

PLAY: These are simple moon activities to expand upon the theme of the book read that you can do at home or as you go about your day.

• Moon Drive: As the children did in The Moon is Going to Addy’s House, point out the moon during a nighttime drive (or bus ride or subway ride). Can you find it? When you turn directions, where did it go?
• Moon Shapes: What shape is the moon in the sky tonight? Is it a round circle or a crescent? For older children, talk about the phases of the moon and discover today’s moon shape here.
• Full Moon Countdown: Mark on your calendar when the next full moon will be. Countdown the days with your child before bed each night by taking a minute to look at the moon and then count how many days until the moon will be full. Celebrate the full moon by reading stories under the stars. Full moon dates can be found here.
• Moon Dance: Dance under the moon like Addy! Turn up “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake (I mean… Could there be a more perfect soundtrack for this book?!) and make up your own moon dance.

EARLY LITERACY TIP: Talking and singing with children aids in developing your child’s language. Regardless of age, by talking about and pointing out what you see whether you’re at home, on a walk, or driving on a full moon night helps build your child’s vocabulary.

MORE BOOK SUGGESTIONS:
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Moongame by Frank Asch (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
And If the Moon Could Talk by Kate Banks (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)
Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser (Public Library/Local Bookstore/Amazon)